Police arrested a group of teens and one 21-year-old man for substantial battery Monday night on the southwest side after the group attacked a Madison man in a backyard.
Police arrested Lazar J. Miles, one 13-year-old, one 15-year-old and three 14-year-olds, all of Madison.
According to police, many have strong gang affiliations.
Police said a citizen flagged down a responding officer and directed the officer to a 19-year-old victim lying on the ground. He was initially unconscious, but then began rolling and moaning.
The victim said he confronted a couple of teens in the neighborhood following an earlier dispute, according to police. The teens ran into an apartment and "when they came out, their ranks were swollen to six," Madison Police Department Spokesperson Joel DeSpain said in a statement.
"He took off running, and ended up trying to flee through some backyards where he was caught and battered," DeSpain said.
Police said the victim was repeatedly punched and kicked, landing him in the hospital with non-threatening injuries.
When caught, the suspects tried to portray the incident as "play fighting."
